Three students died after a 10-wheeler truck hit them while they were walking to school in San Fernando, Bukidnon.
Two of the girls were nine years old and the other was seven years old. Two of them were siblings. They sustained severe injuries and did not reach the hospital alive.
“Iyaha gayud naligsan ang tulo ka mga babae nga menor de edad nga estudyante ang duha niini naa sa edad nga 9 ug ang usa naa sa 7. Kaning nine years old ug seven years old, mag-igsuon pa gyud ni sila so subo kayo paminawon and they were declared nga dead by the attending physician,” Police Regional Office-Northern Mindanao (PRO-10) Spokesperson, Major Joann Navarro, said.
The truck driver, 41, abandoned his vehicle and escaped right after the incident but turned himself in to authorities after a a few hours.
The driver said he dozed off behind the wheel.
“Pagdagan nako ba, nakatagpilaw bitaw ko. Pagdagan nako, mura’g nisayaw na ang truck ba mao to nitunga na ang mga bata,” the driver said.
The driver may face charges for reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide.
Authorities advised motorists to stop and take a nap should they feel sleepy while on the road to avoid accidents.
“Importante nga kung ingon ani nga mga panahon nga maka-feel kita og duka o katulgon, mas maayo siguro nga muhunong kita. Dili na nato ipadayon ang pag-drive kay dili gyud na kalikayan nga maka-aksidente kita og pedestrian,” Navarro said.